Blacking-box



(No Model.)

J. H. CLARK.

Blacking Box.

No. 242,432. Patented June 7,1881.

@l away/131 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH H. CLARK, O11 SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS.

BLACKlNG-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,432, dated June 7,1881.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern I Be it known that I, JOSEPH H. CLARK, ofSomerville, county of Middlesex, State ofMassachusetts, have invented anImprovementin Blackiug-Boxes,ot'which thefollowiugdescription, inconnection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification.

My invention relates to a box or package for blacking for boots andshoes, and has for its object to preserve the blacking in good condition until it is entirely used up.

Paste blacking is usually put up in shallow circular tin boxes, andwhile being used frequently becomes dry and brittle and deteriorates inquality.

My invention consists in providing an ordinary blacking-box with aperforated false bottom or diaphragm, placed a short distance above thebottom of the box, and upon which the blacking rests. The space betweenthe bottom of the box and the said diaphragm or false bottom is filledwith water or other suit able liquid,the moisture of which, penetratingthe blacking, keeps it pliable and in good condition for use until it isentirely used up. A quality of blacking will be used that isnottooreadily permeated by the liquid, so as to become soft and muddy in casethe blaoking-box should be inverted or left resting on its edge.

I am aware that a blacking-box cover has been madeilitYlllgiLI'lQI'fOliltBti diaphragm, between which and the top of thecover a moist sponge has been kept, the purpose being to provide a readymeans for damping a blacking-brush. Such arrangement, however, will373i) keep the mass of blacking in the box moist and pliable.

The drawing shows, in vertical transverse section, a blacking-box orpackage embodying my invention.

The box a is shown in this instance as of the usual form employed tocontain paste blacking, it having an annular bead or ledge, 2, struck upon its sides to form a stop for the cover I).

A bottom piece, a, shaped similarly to the cover I), is fitted andsoldered tight upon the bottom of the box a, which is perforated, asshown at 3, and the space between it and the bottom piece, 0, filledwith water or other suitable liquid before the blacking is put in thebox a, the bottom 61 of the box a thus forming a perforated diaphragm orfalse bottom within the package a o, to separate the blackin g from thewater, but allow the former to be permeated and kept moist and pliableby the latter.

It is obvious that the side portion of the box (0 may he made as onecontinuous piece from the bottom 0, upon which the liquid rests, and inthis case the diaphragm d would be inserted as an independent piece, andmight rest upon a head or ledge similar to the one at 2, but curvingtoward the interior of the box.

1 claim I As an improved article of manufacture, a blaoking-packageconsisting of a tight box provided with a perforated diaphragm or falsebottom located above the true bottom, to provide a support for theblacking above it and form a chamber below it to receive a liquid bywhich the blacking is kept moist and pliable until entirely used up, thesaid liquid being confined between the true bottom of the box and themass of blacking above it, substantially as described.

In testimony whereofl have signed my name to this specificationin thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH H. CLARK.

Witnesses:

J os. P. LIVERMORE, ARTHUR REYNOLDS.

